Cathedra

by Paul Turner

The cathedra is reserved seating. Only the diocesan bishop may sit there. If another bishop presides for worship, he sits elsewhere unless the diocesan bishop permits him to use the cathedra. Everyone else sits in other chairs. Whenever a priest presides for Mass at the cathedral, he sits in a different presider’s chair and not the cathedra. If other bishops are present for a cathedral service at which the diocesan bishop presides, they sit in other chairs. No other seating should attract so much attention that people might confuse it with the cathedra.

The cathedra is a symbol of the bishop, whose responsibilities include teaching and shepherding the diocesan flock in the unity of the faith he proclaims. As a symbol of teaching, the cathedra calls to mind the custom of naming the position of some professors as a chair.

The cathedra should be fixed, indicating the stability of the bishop, his message and his leadership. The cathedra should be visible by everyone and should lend the assurance that the one who sits there presides over the assembly of the faithful. For these reasons it is usually raised high up several steps and situated apart from other furnishings.

Formerly it was the custom to erect a baldachin, or canopy, over the cathedra. This is no longer the case. But if an older church has a baldachin of artistic or historical value, it may be retained.

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Paul Turner, pastor of St. Munchin Parish in Cameron, MO, holds a doctorate in sacramental theology from Sant' Anselmo University in Rome.